The guitarist co-founded he iconic British outfit in 1968 and played a leading role in all lineups until they split up in 1975. He took part in the reunion of the Mark II band lineup in 1984 but quit in 1993 – and spent many years making negative comments about his former colleagues.

Asked about his feelings for the band now, Blackmore told The Guardian that he “bears no malice” and that he’d agree to work with them if he received an invitation – but he added: “It’s probably not probable, though.”

“I work very hard at not having fun,” Blackmore noted. “I don’t think the world is a fun place. I’m very content in my own mind – but fun, I’m not too sure about. I don’t quite know what fun is. I don’t know why I should walk around with a perpetual grin on my face, saying everything’s wonderful. I just don’t fit into the fun area. A lot of musicians go, ‘That was fun.’ I like to think that music is very serious. It’s not fun. I’m not one of those guys that likes jamming with people and having fun. Music is too serious. I don’t feel like I can relate if I’m having fun.”

Still, he's grateful for some things. “It’s hard work and it’s really gratifying to do," he said. "But fun? Fun is where someone tells a joke and they laugh for 10 seconds. Music’s much deeper than that.”

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